InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Perish Once More ❯ II: Chapter Three: Enlightenment ( Chapter 28 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: Youkai and hanyous were never once my idea to begin with, and unfortunately, neither are any of the Inu-Yasha characters. Simply put, this story is my creation, of sorts, *especially* my OCs. Without the talents of Ms. Takahashi there would be no hope for us bizarre wanna-bes.
 
 
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To Perish Twice the Pain: Chapter Three: Enlightenment
-Jasmine Fields
 
 
 
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Introducing the Original Characters for Part II(not necessarily in order of appearance):
 
Shiroumi - meaning: sea fort
Meishenshi - meaning: famous warrior
Shouri - meaning: victorious
Kurokeikeno - meaning: black (dark) piety
Fuefuki - meaning: piper
Hotaka - literally a mountain that dwells in Japan…but for this fic, it's a character's name
Rokugatsumi - meaning: June
 
 
Introducing Other Important Terms:
 
Kagi no Kodaitaisei - Key of the Ancient Order
****** Kodaitaisei - Ancient Order
Shakuhachi - traditional Japanese bamboo flute
 
 
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Warning: Part II Angst/Drama to ensue. -Jazz-
 
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A/N: unmei - destiny (Japanese)
 
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“Let the dead bury the dead, Inuyasha.”
 
“Screw you too, monk.”
 
That was how their last conversation - a week or so past - involving the discussion of all the virtues and fallacies of the half-demon's desire and apparent fantasy for winning the affections of both Kikyo and Kagome dissolved. It really was a hopeless discussion.
 
He had tried to talk his friend out of the nonsensical ambition of it all - and had been the recipient of a bluntly agitated scoff.
 
Not that he would necessarily blame his dog-eared friend for having such an active capricious imagination regarding women in general.
 
Even though he, him self, was the king of flirtation - and king in the bedroom, he indulged his thoughts - there was hardly any moment when Inuyasha expressed romantic interest in the opposite gender at all - except for when Kikyo traveled near by - or when the wolf prince was battling for Kagome's attentions.
 
What does Inuyasha think, any way, about having two women to him self?
 
Smiling, he had wondered what point the half-breed marvel was trying to make, in any case, when he took Tesseiga from its scabbard and dug into the ground, grunting. It seemed that there was a decision made - of what sorts, he couldn't guess entirely, but he perceived that it had something to do with the priestess that came from the future…
 
Staff jangling, he glanced up from his seated meditation against an old boulder to see Sango staring his direction.
 
“Come, walk with me.”
 
The invitation, as it was irresistible, had been laced with easiness and lilted with a softness dancing in her voice that he had not heard since he first met her.
 
Wondering at that, he obliged her, standing when she took his hand only to lead them away from the inn they had traveled to while waiting for Inuyasha and Kagome to return.
 
After all, they had claimed that the education Kagome was receiving might help them in the search and final battle against Naraku and any minions he planned to send their way.
 
…And, they would be gone for a fortnight.
 
You devil, Inuyasha... didn't know you had it in you.
 
“You've got that look on your face again.”
 
She was talking and not slapping him, so he supposed he ought to pay better attention. Meanwhile, he couldn't let her notice that she, once more, took him by surprise with her observations.
 
“Sango dear, what look?”
 
“Don't play innocent with me. You know - the look - the one you always get when you're lost to the perverted workings of your mind.”
 
“Aah - that look.”
 
They walked in silence while the trees swayed with the breeze.
 
Suddenly, she stopped, placing a hand over his shoulders to catch his attention.
 
“Yes, Sango?”
 
There was light glistening like stars in her eyes - one he had not previously been aware of.
 
He dropped his gaze to the grass surrounding her feet, energy and tension building with the caressing contact of her hand strayed from his shoulders to his chest.
 
What's wrong with me today?
 
“Look at me.”
 
Convinced that he was not him self, his head snapped up as he settled for looking at the hair swirling around her ears.
 
Damnit.
 
He was apprehensive.
 
…And nervous.
 
…And horrified by the vision of beauty and promise offered that smile.
 
Those eyes…don't look…
 
He couldn't resist the comfort of her warmth - and was momentarily stunned, cursing silently for breaking his weak resolve when he glimpsed up to meet her concerned gaze.
 
Beautiful…
 
Lost in his revelry, his hand didn't even twitch when smooth velvet lips reached up to meet his with an innocent, though hardly chaste, kiss. Gasping, he pulled her forward to deepen it, acting in small doses that came with years of yearning and want.
 
She was his life…
 
I will not be impulsive…
 
I will not give in to the body's demands…
 
I will not -
 
Then, his skinned burned, flaring to life beneath her gentle feminine touch and he fought the hard-earned control over his body, accepting another offering, while keeping his hands fastened to his sides.
 
He loved her, undoubtedly, and would not ruin the moment.
 
Pulling away, he sucked in much needed air, regretting his actions - for the time, in any case.
 
“Miroku, I thought that's what you always wanted.”
 
Mentally kicking him self as he restrained his suppressed urges, he nearly killed him self for the words he had to say before he lost courage.
 
“You are mistaken, Sango.”
 
Devastated - that's how she looks.
 
Sighing, he apologized then walked out of her embrace.
 
Time to think this through…
 
Scowling, he let the chime of his staff calm the conflict that stirred his soul. His hand had been hurting again… but hadn't it always?
 
Breaking the solitary kiss had been more difficult than dealing daily with the violence that churned and roiled beneath his gloved rosary.
 
He needed…
 
Shutting out the voice of his heart's covetous craving - he tried to block out and ignore the quiet sobs that came from the woman he fancied in all his daydreams.
 
There is power near-by…
 
“Monk.”
 
I know that voice…
 
He almost glared at woman. Granted, her death was tragic and her life pitiful, but still… he held no loyalty to her.
 
“I ask for only a moment.”
 
Caving to her demand, he nodded, eyes resting on the item gripped in her hands. Never before had he seen the object, but the power that radiated from it…
 
“It's a shakuhachi.”
 
She answered his unvoiced question.
 
What purpose does a mere musical instrument have with such an intense enchantment?
 
The undead priestess placed the flute in his outstretched hand.
 
Why does it have a living aura?
 
He supposed that his time as a monk allowed him to take on the burden of holding such a power in his own hands from the priestess Inuyasha had entangled him self with over fifty years in the past.
 
Questions - where to start?
 
“What shall I do with it?”
 
Faultless and nearly perfect, as was fit for the business of his station, he politely asked, a frown marring his youth when he learned the answer - and discovered the truth of her discovery.
 
The days and nights had been countless since he had assumed that such an object would capture the attention of the evil half-breed, Naraku, as she volunteered significant information that he would ponder later - and make sure to confide with his Sango about….
 
The request was reasonable, and certainly Kikyo would not have sought out their group to entrust them if it were not important in the grand scheme of Naraku's plans. There was no doubt that she was not lying to him, and he would accept responsibility and care for it.
 
“Miroku.”
 
He hadn't even noticed that their talk over such affairs wasn't quite over and scolded him self for assuming such. That - and add that he hadn't known she knew him by name….
 
Standing taller, he prepared him self for more discussion attempted to apologize - but she wouldn't hear it.
 
“Your void will swallow you before the year ends.”
 
Definitely something urgent to know…
 
For a brief moment, as the sting in his heart surfaced, he was glad that he pushed Sango away from that kiss - even though he detested the call for that moment.
 
Recovering from the lapse of his near-falter, he continued.
 
“If that is my destiny.”
 
“Indeed.”
 
He had blurted something he was sure was not incredibly important or coherent, but had the desired affect, nonetheless… of gaining insight.
 
Rokugatsumi the healer, eh?
 
The chirping of locusts coming out for early evening as cool air wisped through his hair were the only sounds left after he watched Kikyo continue her journey else where.
 
Tucking the shakuhachi into his robes, he finally wandered over to Sango and confided the reason for her approach.
 
South-western province…
 
The undead priestess's powers were difficult to rival, so he actually trusted her judgment in this one matter.
 
He would see it through to the finish - to what ever ends.
 
First the healer and Naraku…
 
 
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